Shrinking Civic Space in the Western Balkans
SHDM II Side Event
Monday 5 May, 16:45 – 17:45
Bibliotheksaal
Organised by Human Rights House Foundation
Co-sponsored by: Regional Network of Human Rights Houses in Southeast Europe, Human Rights House Belgrade, Human Rights House Banja Luka, Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka, Hi Neighbour, Banjaluka Centre for Human Rights
In the Western Balkans, civil society is facing significant threats from authorities. In Serbia, large-scale protests erupted in November 2024 following the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad which killed 16 people. Since then, the authorities have reacted with increasing violence against protesters, a crackdown on civil society organisations, and attacks on journalists. In Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska (RS), authorities are taking legislative action to limit civic space and silence independent voices. The authorities recently adopted a “foreign agents” law which targets NGOs receiving foreign funding. The law “runs counter to international standards and the commitments to democracy and human rights”, according to ODIHR. The authorities have also adopted additional pieces of legislation which challenge the constitutional order of the country, threaten public participation, and could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. This side event will look into current trends related to civic space in the Western Balkans and how the OSCE and participating States can support civil society under attack there.
The panel will focus on the following key questions:
- How are authorities in the Western Balkans using legislative and other means to limit civic space?
- What are the trend lines for the protection and promotion of human rights in the Western Balkans?
- What can the OSCE and participating States do to protect human rights defenders and civil society against attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms?
Panelists:
- Uroš Jovanović, Civic Initiatives (Human Rights House Belgrade)
- Katarina Golubović, YUCOM (Human Rights House Belgrade)
- Edo Kanlić, Transparency International in BiH (Human Rights House Banja Luka)
- Redžib Skomorac, Center for Environment (Human Rights House Banja Luka)
Moderator:
- Dave Elseroad, Human Rights House Foundation
